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MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR PHANTOM HOODED DOWN JACKET £300
In terms of warmth for weight, when it gets really chilly, there’s nothing better than down. The Phantom is light, long, and very, very warm. The baffle construction keeps the 800 fill down in place which, because it’s treated with Nikwax fluorocarbon-free hydrophobic treatment, retains its high-loft even in damp conditions. The handwarmer pockets are usefully large and aren’t obscured by pack harnesses, and there’s an internal mesh drop-pocket and inner zipped pocket for gear that you want to keep close to you. The adjustable hood and elasticated cuffs do an excellent job of preventing heat escape. The 20D Nylon Ripstop (100% nylon) outer fabric is surprisingly thin-looking, but this does help keep the weight of the jacket down and ensure its packability. Finally, there’s a little extra zip at the lower front of the jacket which, although we have not been provided with or found any specific details pertaining to it, we assume is for the gentleman needing to answer a call of nature without exposing too much delicate equipment to the cold. www.mountainhardwear.com
MONTANE FIREBALL JACKET £180
The Fireball Jacket has been created as the ideal insulating layering piece, offering a fine combination of weather resistance and thermal regulation. If the weather’s not overly wet, it functions perfectly as a stand-alone all-day jacket; The Featherlite Air outer fabric has a DWR (durable water-repellent) treatment, is wind resistant, and provides enough stretch so as not to limit movement. There are two zipped hand pockets (designed to allow access while wearing a harness or backpack) and a single zipped chest pocket, but the overall lines of the Fireball are sleek. The 60g PrimaLoft Gold Active+ insulation provides regulated warmth with minimal bulk. Combined with its streamlined tailoring, this also makes the Fireball an impressively unrestrictive mid layer that sits comfortably under a shell when the weather’s rough. This dual function makes the Fireball a pleasingly versatile jacket that works hard to earn its place in your outdoor wardrobe. www.montane.co.uk